Cost of Living in Knightdale, NC

Population 19,532 · North Carolina · Data vintage 2023

113
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Knightdale a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $332,000.

Geographically, Knightdale sits roughly 9 miles east of Raleigh. Median home values run roughly 12% lower than Raleigh's $378,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 109
Rent 120

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Knightdale

The median home value in Knightdale is $331,900 — 9% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,573/month, 20% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $91,638/year is 23% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. North Carolina's top state income tax rate is 4.5% and the combined sales tax is 7.0%. The climate averages highs of 72.0°F and lows of 50.4°F, with about 5.2" of annual snowfall. Overall, Knightdale has a cost of living index of 113 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 13% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$331,900
9% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$367,048
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,573/mo
20% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,632/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.8%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$826
1 BR
$860
2 BR
$1,049
3 BR
$1,384
4 BR
$1,637
Owner-occupied 64.3%
Renter-occupied 35.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,573
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,187/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
28.5 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
18.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.0%
Carpooled
5.9%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
0.5%
Work from home
18.2%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.5%
Total Sales Tax 7.0%
State rate 4.8%
Avg local rate 2.2%
Property Tax 0.8%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$91,638
23% above avg
Per Capita Income
$41,086
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
2% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Labor Force Participation
76.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 28.4%
Graduate degree 15.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34
Male median age 33.2
Female median age 35

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
72.0°F
Avg Low
50.4°F
Annual Precip
46.1"
Annual Snowfall
5.2"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 525663738087918983736355
Low °F 323440495866706963504034
Precip" 3.432.784.103.533.383.895.024.715.153.373.323.39
Snow" 2.61.40.30.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.10.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
52.1%
Good air days/yr
130
Max AQI recorded
256
PM2.5 days
108
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Knightdale, NC?

Knightdale has a cost index of 113 (100 = national average). It is 13% above the national average.

What is average rent in Knightdale, NC?

The median gross rent in Knightdale is $1,573 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Knightdale?

The median home value in Knightdale is $331,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Knightdale?

The median household income in Knightdale is $91,638 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Knightdale, NC?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Knightdale is 7.0%. The North Carolina state income tax top rate is 4.5%.

Is Knightdale, NC affordable?

Knightdale is above average in cost of living, with an index of 113 — about 13% higher than the national average.

What is the weather like in Knightdale?

Knightdale has average high temperatures of 72.0°F and average lows of 50.4°F. Annual precipitation is 46.1". Average annual snowfall is 5.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Knightdale at a Glance

Population
19,532
Median Income
$91,638
Home Value
$331,900
Median Rent
$1,573/mo
Unemployment
4.9%
Avg High Temp
72.0°F
Sales Tax
7.0%
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